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Z4 Beta Testing By: Christopher Brändström

Here is the final image rendered with the new Best Preview Render in Zbrush 4.
I recommend you download the full resolution renders (5000 x 3297) to be able to see all the details on the model. You can do this by clicking on these links:

Ok, so what I wanted to start with is the now very simple way to create pretty advanced geometry within minutes, using the new feature called ShadowBox in Zbrush 4.

We can start with a simple breakdown of the shield I created for my temple.

If you haven't tried the ShadowBox yet, you can turn it on by pressing the ShadowBox button under the SubTool menu.

As you can see on the picture below I projected a black and white alpha onto the ShadowBox geometry. This creates a shape which is quite blobby and doesn't really give me the detail I want, as you can see. The Res i set to 128, so we need to increase that.
By testing, I found out that the optimal res for this model is 512.

The change of the res won't be active until you turn off and then turn on ShadowBox again.
As you now can see, I get the resolution I'm after. Extreamly easy, and extreamly fast!

By doing this on all the remaining pieces, I can get complex geometry in no time at all. With risk of sounding like a infomercial guy, yes it's that easy!

Together with a feature found in previous versions of Zbrush, a powerful feature I actually haven't seen be used that often is SweepProfile3D. Which kind of works like the revolve-tool in Maya.
I used SweepProfile3D to create the general shape of the columns for the temple. Using Initialize to create the length, bevels and such I was able to get the shape I wanted without having to use alot of different techniques or any other software for that matter.
A tip is, if you want to create small details like bevels on a pretty large object. Just double click on one of the focus points in the curve editor and you'll get a zoomed view of that area. Just like in the picture below.
Together with ShadowBox that I showed earlier, I created the final version of the column.

The Manticore piece was created using the traditional ZSphere's and the wing were made by using ZSketch and a few different alphas.
After working with Zbrush for 6 years, I really have to say that I think ZSphere's is one, if not the most underestimated major feature of Zbrush. I must admit, they were a bit tricky at first. But once you learn how it work, man are they effective and you get results fast!

Obvious this is not a complete tutorial for all the smaller models and techniques that were used in creating this piece, but it's a few of them. The big ones I would say, although they do require previous knowledge of Zbrush.
If you have any questions regarding any perticular piece of the model, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer them the best way I can.

The most important thing though is, enjoy and explore Zbrush 4. Can't wait to see what this new release will do for this already fantastic Zbrush forum.

Can you tell me how you projected a black and white alpha onto the shadowbox? I am guessing you made the black and white image in another program and imported it in as an alpha. I am unsure how to project that onto the shadowbox to get my shape.

Sorry for taking too long to answer any questions. Have been in Tunisia for a week getting my tan on! Getting a tan from the computer screen isn't good enough apparently.

Energise:
So we meet again and again and again and...
Yeah it's a real honour to participate in the betas. Did a hardsurface model for the R3-release as well.
The bricks for the columns were made with using a displacement texture wrapped around the pillar using UVMaster. And then applied as geometry. It's a shortcut or even a cheat if you'd wanna call it that, but it works. Have I had the time I would've created them brick by brick to make them more genuine and the cracks between each brick deeper.

jbartley:
Thanks!
You can simply toggle the alpha selection mode by pressing and holding down Ctrl, choose DragRect and then your alpha. Then just drag your cursor while holding down Ctrl onto the ShadowBox. Just make sure you have a proper resolution on the ShadowBox like I explained earlier and you should be good to go.

earthtriber:
Ha ha! Yeah probably. We actually talked about 3D-printing and piracy the other day. Guessing that'll be the next big thing even if it's a few years until then. But you'll probably gonna be able to download designer furniture as a 3D-model and print it using different materials. That's my guess at least.